Scale-rack.



N0. sa2,|69. Patented Sept. l0, mm.

H. A. CANTRILL.

SCALE RACK.

(Application filed Feb. 4, 1901.)

(No Model.)

F/ y- ELI. A

NV ENTER H ENRL| ABANTRIL Bu AwuW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. CANTRILL, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

SCALE-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 682,169, datedSeptember 10, 1901.

Application filed February 4, 1901. Serial No. 45,954. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY A. CANTRILL, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residin g at Springfield, in the county of Sangamon and State ofIllinois, have invented a certain new and useful Scale-Rack, of whichthe following is such a full, clear, and exact description as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usemy invention.

My invention relates to racks such as are commonly used in connectionwith farmscales for the purpose of inclosing live stock during theoperation of weighing.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a scale-rack and accessoriesso constructed and arranged that the main frame of the rack may be setin operative position relative to the scales with which it is usablewhen it is desired to weigh live stock, and may be conveniently shiftedtherefrom to a position such as not to interfere with the use of thescales for other purposes, and may afterward be conveniently restored toits initial position.

\Vith this end in view my invention consists of the novel features ofconstruction and combination of parts shown in the annexed drawings, towhich reference is hereby made, and hereinafter particularly describedand finally recited in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of thecomplete apparatus. Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial front elevationshowing the means for supporting one end of one of the switch-railscontiguous to one end of one of the track-rails. Fig. 3 is an enlargedfront elevation of one of the wheels and its supporting-bracket. Fig. 4is a partial vertical section on the line 4: 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is anenlarged vertical section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is asectional view showing an alternative form of means for connecting theswitch-rails with the posts supporting the track-rails.

Similar reference letters designate like parts in all of the views.

The rack-frame is rectangular in form and has vertical posts A,cross-pieces A, secured near the upper ends of the posts, andsuitably-placed side pieces A ,secured to the sides of the posts. Thelower ends of the posts A rest on top of the framework of the scales.Gates B are mounted to swing on hinges 12,

secured to the corner-posts A. Securing devices b of anysuitable formsecure the gates when closed.

The track-rails D are secured on top of suitably-placed posts D, set inthe ground. Plates E, having eyes 6, are secured to the posts D whichare nearest to the rack-frame. The switch-rails D are similar to thetrackrails D. The upper surfaces of the rails D and D are protected byiron straps D on which the wheels F travel. Blocks (1 at the ends of therails D prevent the wheels from running'off the rails. Plates E, securedon the rails D have pins 6, which fit loosely in the eyes e. V

Instead of using the plates E and E to connect the switch-rails D withthe posts D other equivalent connecting devices may be used such, forexample, as a plate E secured to the rail D and having a downturned ende fitting in a notch e in the upper end of the post D, as shown in Fig.6.

Brackets F are secured in any suitable manner on the corner-posts A at aheight above the ground somewhat (say three or four inches) less thanthe height of the upper surfaces of the rails above the ground. Flangedwheels F, adapted to travel on the rails D and D turn on spindles f onthe brackets F.

Two posts G are set in the ground contiguous to two of the corner-postsA. Each of the posts G has at its upper end a shoulder g, on which thefree end of the adjacent rail D rests when the rack-frame is raised, ashereinafter explained. Blocks G and G secured to the posts G, form forksg. A removable bolt G fits in transverse holes in the posts G and theblocks G and forms a fulcrum on which the lever H may be mounted oneither of the posts G, as occasion may require. The leverH is of suchlength that the shorter member thereof will extend under one of thelower side pieces A when the lever is mounted on one of the posts G, asshown in Fig. 1.

Posts J are set in the ground in line with the posts G and at suchdistance therefrom that a hook it on a chain H, secured to the lever H,may engage in any one of a number of links j, secured to the posts J.

The practical operation of the device will now be described. When it isdesired to shift the rack-frame, the switch-rails D are placed under thewheels F, with the pins 2' resting in the eyes 6. The lever H is thenplaced in one of the forks g, and the bolt G is inserted so as to mountthe lever in the fork, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The free end of thelever is then depressed so as to raise the adjacent part of therack-frame to the desired height. The hook h is then hooked in theproper linkj to retain the outer end of the lever in its depressedposition. The free end of the switchrail D is then raised by hand,thereby lifting the remote side of the rock-frame, and the end of theswitch-rail is then placed on the shoulder g of the post G. The bolt Gis then withdrawn and the lever H is removed. At this stage of theoperation the rail D will be in line with the rail D and one end of therack-frame will be supported on the wheels F on the rail D The other endof the rackframe will then be raised and placed on the other switch-railin identically the same manner. The rack-frame may then be easily pushedsidewise on to the track-rails D, where it may remain until it isdesired to replace it in its original position.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a scale-rack,the combination of a rackframe, wheels mounted onsaid rack-frame, track-rails,oscillative switch-rails in line with saidtrack-rails and adapted to carry said rack-frame, means for supportingthe free ends of said switch-rails and means for raising saidrack-frame, as set forth.

2. In ascale-rack, the combination ofa rackframe, wheels mounted on saidrack-frame, shouldered posts adjacent to one side of said rack-frame,alever connectible with said posts, track-rails adapted to carry saidrack-frame and switch-rails in operative relation to said track-railsand adapted to rest on the shoulders of said posts, as set forth.

3. In a scale-rack, the combination of posts D, track-rails supported onsaid posts, plates E, secured to posts D, switch-rails D plates E,secured to the rails D posts G in line with posts D, a lever H,connectible with the posts G, a chain secured to said lever and having ahook, posts J adjacent to the posts G, links secured to the posts J, arack-frame and wheels mounted on the rack-frame and adapted to travel onthe rails D and D, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, at Springfield,Illinois, this 22d day of December, 1900.

HENRY A. OANTRILL.

Witnesses:

ANNIE A. DAY, FRANK G. LISTER.

